The Official Newcastle United Thread

[JNW1]

cerb4.5lee said:

Gutted Newcastle have gone down though because I respect the passion and love the fans have for the club and I hope Benitez stays and they bounce back straight away.

The latest vibes are that Benitez is likely to stay and presumably one of his pre-conditions for doing so will be he's given money to spend so he can shape the squad how he wants it. If all that's confirmed I think Newcastle will be very strong contenders for automatic promotion next season and I hope that's the case as the Premier League will be a poorer place without them...

[Axionknight]

I wonder how long it'll take the Geordie Army to turn on Rafa the Saviour if he decides to stay?

[JNW1]

Axionknight said:

I wonder how long it'll take the Geordie Army to turn on Rafa the Saviour if he decides to stay?

I think they'll give him a fair crack of the whip; besides, if he spends money improving the squad and they look like bouncing straight back up - which I think is likely - there'll be no reason to turn on him anyway!

[Buster73]

Axionknight said:

I wonder how long it'll take the Geordie Army to turn on Rafa the Saviour if he decides to stay?

They won't have time if Warnock is appointed beforehand....

[ellroy]

Ginola in hospital in France after a heart attack.

Hope he pulls through ok, one of the greats.

[ray von]

ellroy said:

Ginola in hospital in France after a heart attack.

Hope he pulls through ok, one of the greats.

I like him, always comes across as a canny bloke. Hope he makes a full recovery, heard some reports he's in a coma now.

[ellroy]

Indeed Ray, not a bad lad for a Frenchy!, not sure if medically induced, they often are these days, so fingers crossed.

[Patrick Bateman]

He's posted on twitter himself now.

[ellroy]

Definitely him? Some of the celeb bunch have their publicists handle ttter.

[Patrick Bateman]

Yes, definitely.

[JNW1]

Patrick Bateman said:

Yes, definitely.

Sounds like he's going to be ok which is great to hear! However, when I've seen him on TV recently he hasn't looked like he's let himself go and hence for someone like me (a touch older then Ginola!) its slightly scary that a relatively fit bloke like him could end-up in a situation like that....

[fathomfive]

It seems like the deal to keep Rafa Benitez on as manager has been done!

[mickk]

Must say I thought he was gone as soon as the final whistle went, fair play to him, although money may have played a part.

[skahigh]

mickk said:

although money may have played a part.

I seriously doubt that, it's unlikely that we are paying him a great deal more than he could have got from one of the big European jobs (i.e. one of the top 5 or 6 clubs in England, Spain, Italy, Germany and to a lesser extent Holland and France) which, I'm sure he would have got with a bit of patience.

I suspect he's motivated by three things:
- Staying relatively close to his family home in England
- The kudos of potentially rejuvenating a failing club that has absolutely massive potential
- Spending some time at a club where he's truly wanted again by both ownership and the fanbase

I couldn't care less why he's staying, I'm just glad he is because he's a top manager and it means Ashley must have reneged on at least some of his totally failed blueprint for the organisation of the club.

[TX1]

Fantastic news and I really admire him for looking way ahead instead of just around the corner.

[Adam B]

TX1 said:

Fantastic news and I really admire him for looking way ahead instead of just around the corner.

hopefully fans and board will too - you've done well there

[JNW1]

skahigh said:

I seriously doubt that, it's unlikely that we are paying him a great deal more than he could have got from one of the big European jobs (i.e. one of the top 5 or 6 clubs in England, Spain, Italy, Germany and to a lesser extent Holland and France) which, I'm sure he would have got with a bit of patience.

I suspect he's motivated by three things:
- Staying relatively close to his family home in England
- The kudos of potentially rejuvenating a failing club that has absolutely massive potential
- Spending some time at a club where he's truly wanted again by both ownership and the fanbase

I couldn't care less why he's staying, I'm just glad he is because he's a top manager and it means Ashley must have reneged on at least some of his totally failed blueprint for the organisation of the club.

Great news for Newcastle but bad news for the other teams in the Championship with designs on promotion; reckon you lot are now pretty much nailed-on for one of the automatic spots (quite probably the top one!).

[BossHogg]

Speaking as a Liverpool fan, you've got yourself one of the best managers in the game with Rafa. I look forward to seeing you lot back in the Premiership sharpish.

[Black can man]

I like Benitez too, He genuinely seems a nice chap & i thought the way he handled himself at Chelsea was truly fantastic & professional given all the bks that he was subjected too over there.

I hope he does well for you chaps.

[Northbloke]

Good choice by Benitez I reckon. He's done the normal managerial merry go round with a fair degree of success but not much recognition lately.

This is a new challenge with a chance to build great foundations at a club with loads of potential and desperate for success. He has the chance to create a great legacy there and be loved by the fans.

The squad has some decent players if he can keep them (Wijnaldum, Shelvey, Townsend, Sissoko, Mitrovic) and they could easily win the Championship in a canter. That would give him the chance to build a good squad in relatively unpressurised circumstances ready to hit the ground running in the Prem the year after.

Is there room for another statue next to Bobby?